What Are Some Side Effects of Barium Drinks?

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Side effects of barium drinks include nausea, vomiting, bloating and stomach pain, Drugs.com reports. People consuming barium drinks should consult with their doctors immediately if these symptoms appear.

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Constipation and cramping are more severe side effects that come from consuming barium drinks, Drugs.com notes. Patients should also seek medical attention if they experience ringing in the ears, confusion, a fast heart rate, weakness, confusion or pale skin, Everyday Health warns. Other moderate side effects include loose stools Doctors may advise their patients that the moderate side effects are perfectly normal during the first few days of consuming the drink, but the effects eventually subside.

Some patients may find they are at risk of an allergic reaction with barium or its interactions with other medicines, Mayo Clinic reports. Doctors may routinely perform diagnostic tests to determine such issues. Before any medical test, a woman should tell her doctor if she is pregnant, as it's unknown whether barium sulfate harms an unborn baby. However, the radiation used in CT scans and X-rays may be harmful to the unborn child, Everyday Health explains. Barium drinks may pass into the breast milk and harm a nursing baby, so women should advise their doctors if they're breast-feeding.